One-hundred-and-eleven years ago, the actress, writer and icon Louise Brooks was born in Cherryvale, Kansas.  She danced, she inspired a comic strip, she scandalised people, she acted, she starred, she disappeared … then she came back and told us all about it, in a series of wise and candid essays and some revelatory interviews. Her famous cool look, with those sharp features, glittering eyes and that slick haircut, represent the essence of 1920s chic. Her fame and popularity seem to grow every year. In short, Louise Brooks is hot stuff, even now.

To celebrate the anniversary of Louise Brooks’s birth I want to share with you the first look at my new book on her greatest film, Pandora’s Box (1929). Thanks for all your support along the way to writing this book. It has meant so much to me.

You can order the book here, but if you want to celebrate Louise Brooks’s birthday in style, come along to the official launch event and screening at BFI Southbank on Sunday 19 November 2017. I’ll be there to introduce the film, and to sign copies of the book afterwards. The film will screen on 35mm film, with live accompaniment from the wonderful John Sweeney. PLUS, you can buy the book then and there in the BFI shop, a few days before its official release, with a 10% discount. Just present your film ticket in the shop to get the offer.

There are a series of other screenings planned around the country to support the launch of the book. You can read about them here, in a post which I will update as new events are announced.

• Pandora’s Box with John Sweeney and book launch, 19 November 2017.
• You can read more from me on Pandora’s Box on this site here.
• Read my Little White Lies piece on Louise Brooks the Hollywood rebel here.